How to cross lake Manapouri?

Ant · Newbie Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 2

Hi guys,

First of all hello everybody, I'm new here and I'm planning to spend some days in NZ coming January 2007. I'm very happy to have found a backpacking forum about New Zealand.

Now with the question: In may plans was to do the Dusky track in Fjordland since I am very much looking for this sense of wilderness in a deserted place that I'm afraid I cannot find in places like Milford sound. My plan was to start it at the Manapouri lake side, thus I need to cross the lake from East to West. My map (German) suggests there is a boat crossing, but still I couldn't find any information on prices or departing times. Can anybody help me here?

TIA
Ant
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t-hersey · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2006 Posts: 17 Location: Wellington

Hi Ant -

The Dusky Track is fantastic. Definitely my favourite tramp in NZ for it's remoteness and diversity.

Between Manapouri township and the West Arm of Lake Manapouri (where the Dusky track ends), you take the Real Journeys ferry which carries people to Doubtful Sound and the power station at West Arm. The end of the Dusky Track is about 45 minutes walk from the jetty at West Arm.

I think the boat leaves Manapouri at 9:30am and returns from West Arm at 4:30pm, and it costs $40 or something like that. You can't book this online, but you can just show up at the Real Journeys office in Manapouri and it'll be no problem. Just for reference:

http://www.realjourneys.com/Main/Doubtfuldaytime/

On the other end, you need to catch the boat across Lake Hauroko with Val McKay at Lake Hauroko Tours:

http://www.duskytrack.co.nz/transport.html

Val picks up passengers by van in Tuatapere, then puts his boat in the water at the Hauroko boat launch. To get to Tuatapere, book a seat on the Scenic Shuttle from Te Anau or Manapouri - call them on:

+64 (03) 249 7505 or 0800 277 483

Because bookings are essential for the trip across Lake Hauroko (and boat service less frequent), most people start at the Hauroko end. There's a good chance that you might spend an extra day out due to weather, so it makes more sense to finish at Manapouri, as you are guaranteed a boat out when you reach the end of the track. Believe me, after eight days on the Dusky, you don't want to worry about whether there will be a boat or not.

Also, starting at the Hauroko end lets you time the weather to have good views from the Pleasant Range and Lake Roe, which is definitely the scenic highlight of the trip.

View from the Pleasant Range to Dusky Sound:

http://tinyurl.com/wysbg

ENJOY!!!!